Faith & Insight: Come to the table

I love that it was at a meal (the last supper) that Jesus was sitting with his disciples at a table, teaching them, talking with them, telling them what was to happen.

He instructed them to celebrate and remember him by eating the bread and drinking the cup. Then they sang a hymn, a psalm perhaps of love and Thanksgiving.

Being around the table with loved ones and sharing intimately the goodness of God and singing together is wonderful. God invites ALL to his table to share in his salvation, redemption, grace, and resurrection power.

I grew up in large family with eight of us kids, six boys and two girls. At the evening meal we would all be at the table, fold our hands, bow our heads, and dad would say the Lord’s prayer, teaching us and modeling how to pray.

We listened to dad and mom talk and they would ask questions about our day. How did school go? Did you have a good day? Sometimes it got loud, other times quiet. It was the best part of growing up in a big family – being around the table together.

My husband Louis and I have continued the biblical principle of giving thanks for our meals and having great family times around our table. We love having the family together around the table.

Nowadays, when we have the grandkids or our great grandkids over, we sit around the table for a meal (they eat about every two hours!) but first we pray and/or sing a song of thanks, modeling to them how to pray, how to give thanks. We laugh, tell stories, celebrate the good things that are happening in their lives.

The family table is a place where there can be meaningful conversations, where truth is spoken, instruction is given, important information passed on, where we can show gratitude, serve one another, honor one another, learn about our health and nutrition, learn to respect, teach good manners, a place where we can learn naturally at our safe place called “home.”

It matters that families eat around the table together. It’s important to make the table a priority, a place of pleasure, and purpose. We can begin making our table a priority by clearing the clutter from the table, setting the table for a meal, lighting a candle, and having a flower as a centerpiece.

A welcoming invitation that says, “Come to the table” where there is love, acceptance, peace. Remember, Jesus ate his last meal with his earthly family and friends at a table. Be together at your table and invite his presence, he promises to be there with you.

Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you I will not drink again of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my father's kingdom.” And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. Matthew 26:26-30

Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me. Revelation 3:20

Peggy Locke is assisting minister of Reno Hillside Foursquare Church, and co-founding pastor of Carson City Foursquare Church, specialized chaplain.